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1073days since the 2015 Central Wisconsin Prairie Chicken Festival!

"We went to a party at the Hamerstroms' the other night
and thought we were back with you in Rappahanock County. They are the prairie
chicken people, heat their house with wood, carry their water. They had four
pies on the floor when we came in and three live musicians (and a silent poet)
who played dishwashing music for the dishwashers after supper. Incidentally,
the first pie was an hors d'oeuvre - wild mushrooms, cooked in a delectable
crust made with bear fat. Desert was a mince-peach pie and rhubarb raisin, but
the crust was outstanding and I am trying to learn how. Fran Hamerstrom says
she puts as much lard in as the flour will hold, cuts it in with a single
blade, adds as little water as possible, and rolls it quickly, crumbly and in
raggedy edges. If it looks awful, it will taste fine. They don't shoot bears,
but some hunter gave them bear grease, and it is very delicate in flavor."

Edith Nash, 1981, Hamerstrom Stories: Recollections of the life of Hammy and Fran Hamerstrom

Get Involved

Get Involved!

Golden Sands RC&D is a community organization focused on empowering the public to help accomplish common goals. We are proud to be a strong, non-profit, grassroots organization that networks nine counties in Central Wisconsin. We make a difference by designing and managing a variety of forestry, wildlife, agricultural and water projects, advocating for the preservation of important natural resources throughout our community, and promoting awareness and education about conservation issues for the benefit of all.

We rely upon the generosity, passion, and action of people like you to make our vision a reality. Getting involved with Golden Sands RC&D is one of the best ways to preserve and improve your community. By contributing your time and money, you are doing your part to make an important, rewarding investment in the health of our shared natural resources, the safety of our water, and the future of our community.

We need your help to continue doing work that keeps our region natural and thriving. We depend upon our community to help us make difference through a monthly or annual contribution. These investments enable us to budget for the coming year and plan events that reach the greatest number of people.

Please help us spend more time on change, not on fundraising and recruiting, by donating your time or money to help preserve the beauty of Central Wisconsin.

Your property is your life, your future, and your responsibility. We understand the many land management challenges that come with property ownership and we're here to help. We focus on helping you understand your options, finding answers to your questions, and providing you with the right resources.

Interested in cleaning up your lake or getting the most out of your pasture? Our services include an on-staff Management-Intensive Grazing Specialist and an Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator who provide guidance to landowners in making important decisions.

Each of the nine counties in our service area host a Demonstration Forest: living examples of sound forest management, and our Agroforestry Demonstration site is a working example of crops that can be grown without tilling or fertilizer application. Both projects are open for field trips and tours. We are also proud to coordinate with ongoing local projects to achieve water quality objectives.

To find out more about how we can help you, contact us through the form below. No question is too small, and no need too great. We look forward to hearing from you!

Join the Council

As a member-driven organization focused on making a difference in our community, we are actively looking for motivated people who care about the future of our lakes, forest and land. Becoming a council member means taking a leadership role in your community. You will help Golden Sands decide how to use resources to do the most good for Central Wisconsin. We invite you to join us and work together to make a difference.